alag's Profile

I'm trying to come up with a restaurant for my mom's birthday. Lunch or dinner, about two tables (twenty people). She's actually Hakka, which is why I thought Hakka Restaurant might be fun for her and extended family. Is food still up to par? (I think I last visited four years ago). If I choose Hakka, is it best to go with one of the set menus?

Should I stick with a more reliable choice, like R&G? Or is there another place I'm overlooking?

I was hoping Crystal Jade would be open by now, but looks like the opening date has been pushed back to fall.

Rad nah- plenty of gravy, but just a few noodles and as many veggies on the plate. Don't remember seeing any pork.

BBQ chicken- arrived lukewarm and with shriveled skin, the sauce tasted just like that bottled sweet chili sauce found at Ranch 99. I've had the bbq chicken off those street carts in Bangkok, and this was nothing like that.

Green papaya salad with raw crab- imagined it to have just the crab meat, but actually the salad was topped with a blue crab, shell and all, halved. Required a lot of work to get the meat out, and while a lot of people may love it, apparently raw crab isn't my thing.

Was just there last weekend. I guess everyone has differing opinions, but the matcha brownie was the one thing I outright hated- it had a weird consistency. The jook was surprisingly tasty, as was the smoked salmon quiche. We also liked the scones with devonshire cream.

I believe it opened this past July, but haven't seen much information about it. I'm considering it as the locale for a pre-marathon dinner next week and was wondering if anyone has been yet. Any positive or negative reports?

Are there any Chinese, Vietnamese, or other SE Asian bakeries in SF or on the peninsula (or even east bay) that sell this? I know some Filipino bakeries have pandan baked goods, but usually their frosting is too sweet for my mom's tastes.

And I've been having the same worried thoughts about the future of the restaurant, as every time I've eaten here only a few tables have been occupied. Definitely the best Chinese food in Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill/Concord and so I really hope business picks up.

I have family in Kuching so I know the area quite well. Awesome food that I'm always craving! Make sure you try to local Sarawak specialties: laksa and kolo mee. Both are noodle dishes and can be found at any hawker center in Kuching.

At Damai your options are pretty much limited to the hotel restaurants. I haven't been to the Puri yet, but the old Damai Lagoon and Holiday Inn had pretty mediocre food. If you can, try and get the shuttle driver (or taxi, or rental car) to take you to Buntal Village. Just 15 minutes away, if that, and the back of the one road town is lined with seafood restaurants. It's a typical dinner getaway spot for locals in Kuching. The most famous is Lim Hock An, the very last restaurant on the road. Recommend this, or if you want even cheaper (just as good food), the restaurant just before Lim Hock An is fine too. Steamed pomfret is great, same with bamboo snails in garlic, local fern-like veggies (bi-ling, though probably the wrong spelling), tiger prawns in oats and butter. Look at the deli case of seafood and ask for recommendations.

Okay, I was just at the Whole Foods in Walnut Creek, and they're completely sold out of matzoh! Apparently people got word of a shortage and bought out their entire supply this afternoon. And Whole Foods won't be getting another shipment in.